Wednesday, May 14, 2014
Rebel book club
Hi if you are looking from Facebook ' s rebel book club. I blame the free lists on kindle for my delay. I am currently reading sherrylin Kenyon ' s styxx from her dark hunter series.
Tuesday, April 16, 2013
Evaleen - From Rags to Riches [Kindle Edition] Sandra Rector
warning:this book takes place during the great depression, world war 2 and a few years after.
its very melancholy and i felt relieved to be done reading it.
In Evaleen - From Rags to Riches, Eva Doyle, a shy teenager, decides to make and sell beauty creams from an old recipe book, given to her by her grandmother who was known for having a beautiful complexion even into old age. Eva's goal is to support her desperately poor parents. Unfortunately nobody seems to want something as useless as beauty creams. Worse, she is definitely not a beauty herself, there's her father's untimely death, her mother's mental decline and her hopeless crush on a rich young man who barely knows she is alive. But then she decides to become somebody else, somebody named Evaleen.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005C1K28W/ref=kinw_myk_ro_title
its very melancholy and i felt relieved to be done reading it.
In Evaleen - From Rags to Riches, Eva Doyle, a shy teenager, decides to make and sell beauty creams from an old recipe book, given to her by her grandmother who was known for having a beautiful complexion even into old age. Eva's goal is to support her desperately poor parents. Unfortunately nobody seems to want something as useless as beauty creams. Worse, she is definitely not a beauty herself, there's her father's untimely death, her mother's mental decline and her hopeless crush on a rich young man who barely knows she is alive. But then she decides to become somebody else, somebody named Evaleen.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005C1K28W/ref=kinw_myk_ro_title
Rock Star's Girl (A Hollywood Dating Story) [Kindle Edition]
Emily Watts just wants a weekend break from the workaholic hours she's taken on to keep her business -- a popular fashion-snark web site -- up and running. What she gets is overnight celebrity and a career-killing media scandal.
While taking time out to attend a concert in support of friend Jesse Cinder, a struggling musician, Emily meets Cory Sampson, the lead singer of a chart-topping rock band. When she agrees to a date with Cory, making entertainment headlines is the last thing she expects. Even so, it's a minor surprise by comparison to her discovery that in the music world, media notoriety trumps all. Tabloid allegations erupt when Cory and fame-hungry Jesse use Emily for personal gain, and her tarnished image spells disaster -- personally and professionally. To save the web site and writing career she's made her life and dream, Emily must go from being a pawn in the Hollywood headline game to becoming the media mastermind.http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005ECMJ2G/ref=oh_d__o06_details_o06__i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
While taking time out to attend a concert in support of friend Jesse Cinder, a struggling musician, Emily meets Cory Sampson, the lead singer of a chart-topping rock band. When she agrees to a date with Cory, making entertainment headlines is the last thing she expects. Even so, it's a minor surprise by comparison to her discovery that in the music world, media notoriety trumps all. Tabloid allegations erupt when Cory and fame-hungry Jesse use Emily for personal gain, and her tarnished image spells disaster -- personally and professionally. To save the web site and writing career she's made her life and dream, Emily must go from being a pawn in the Hollywood headline game to becoming the media mastermind.http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005ECMJ2G/ref=oh_d__o06_details_o06__i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Second Sight Dating [Kindle Edition] Marianne Stephens
This is a suggestive romance (love scenes are not graphic). Psychic Serena Xavier owns Second Sight Dating, a matchmaking business. Although successful in matching others, her "second sight" failed miserably in finding herself a trustworthy man.Detective Dan Carrington becomes one of her clients as part of an undercover investigation. His job is to find out if her business is legitimate or a cover for a sex-for-hire scheme, possibly with mob connections.All vibrations from Dan lead Serena to believe he's being honest with her. Upon catching him snooping through her files, she has to consider the possibility that he's a gigolo looking to secure clients through her business. Despite doubts about each other's honesty, a growing attraction leads to a night of passion. Serena wonders who he really is, as Dan ponders her true business motives.
MY opinion: cute, a fun read, sweet ending http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0032UDV1A/ref=oh_d__o03_details_o03__i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
MY opinion: cute, a fun read, sweet ending http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0032UDV1A/ref=oh_d__o03_details_o03__i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Masks [Kindle Edition] Evangeline Anderson (adult)
Chloe's identical twin sister Zoe wants a favor. She needs Chloe to dress up in her work clothes and meet an important client, pretending to be her. There's just one problem. Zoe isn't an investment banker as she's led everyone to believe—she's a dominatrix and her work clothes include a leather bustier, thigh-high boots and a feathered mask. There are three rules, according to Zoe—don't lose control of the situation, don't have sex with the client, and never take off the mask.Shy, retiring Chloe has no idea how to go about dominating anyone. But that won't be a problem for long because the "client", Mark Jacobs, is a hot alpha male in a black leather mask of his own who prefers to take the lead when it comes to sex.Soon Chloe is breaking all the rules for one night of forbidden passion but when she decides to take off her mask and asks Mark to do the same, she has no idea that the black leather he wears conceals a dark secret that may change her life forever.
My opinion: adult, too much forcing. i was let down at the end.
Monday, March 25, 2013
it's my kindle's fault
my apologies for the huge delay in updating. kindle top 100 free list is killing me. i will post soon.
Monday, January 16, 2012
Blood Oath (Blood Lines, Book One) [Kindle Edition]
Book 1 in the Blood Lines seriesAnca has always thought her father was dead. So she doesn't believe Demi when he appears to take her to visit her dying father. Once she's convinced her father still lives, she agrees to meet him. It's only when she arrives in Corsova that she realizes what's expected of her and what she is, what most of the people of Corsova are...Vampires.
not what i expected at all, interesting plot, weird characters and a lot of intrigue. 3 stars.
not what i expected at all, interesting plot, weird characters and a lot of intrigue. 3 stars.
Between the Dead and the Living--A Paranormal Romantic Comedy [Kindle Edition]
Marla Franks wants to murder her husband. Not to get rid of him but to get him to join her on the other side. Keisha Holmes has six months to live. She's a widow who must decide which of her dead husbands she will spend eternity with. These two women have much in common. Not only do their destinies intersect but they both experience romance and lust between the dead and the living.
ok this totally cracked me up, it wasn't what I was expecting so for that i gave it 4 stars.
ok this totally cracked me up, it wasn't what I was expecting so for that i gave it 4 stars.
Sentence of Marriage (Promises to Keep) [Kindle Edition]
i gave this book one star because the kindle doesn't allow you to rate something with zero stars. A young girl forced to marry against her will because she got pregnant out of wedlock. the man who got her pregnant left her, she had her confinement in a home for women who were with child. she was tended by nuns who treated her like a sl** and tried to make her feel suicidal. if i could have thrown the kindle across the room i would have. free does not mean good.
this is other people's reviews.
In 19th Century New Zealand, there are few choices for a farm girl like Amy. Her life seems mapped out for her by the time she is twelve. Amy dreams of an exciting life in the world beyond her narrow boundaries. But it is the two people who come to the farm from outside the valley who change her life forever, and Amy learns the high cost of making the wrong choice. Book 1 of "Promises to Keep".
“I won’t have her forced,” Jack said. “Let her decide for herself.”
Amy knew her father meant it. She could say no if she wanted. But this marriage would make everything all right. They could put all the trouble she had caused behind them. Everyone would be happy again.
Everyone except her.
“Sentence of Marriage” is the first book in the three-volume “Promises to Keep”.
this is other people's reviews.
In 19th Century New Zealand, there are few choices for a farm girl like Amy. Her life seems mapped out for her by the time she is twelve. Amy dreams of an exciting life in the world beyond her narrow boundaries. But it is the two people who come to the farm from outside the valley who change her life forever, and Amy learns the high cost of making the wrong choice. Book 1 of "Promises to Keep".
“I won’t have her forced,” Jack said. “Let her decide for herself.”
Amy knew her father meant it. She could say no if she wanted. But this marriage would make everything all right. They could put all the trouble she had caused behind them. Everyone would be happy again.
Everyone except her.
“Sentence of Marriage” is the first book in the three-volume “Promises to Keep”.
One Last Bite
free kindle dl. Had a lot of fun with this book gave it 4 stars.
Spoiler Alert! Do not read this epilogue until you’ve read MUST LOVE VAMPIRES. Unless you don’t mind ruining your appetite by eating dessert first...**
“MUST LOVE VAMPIRES is drop dead funny! If you are in a bad mood, pick this book up and I swear you will laugh your butt off! MUST LOVE VAMPIRES is a guaranteed pick me up! Heidi Betts’s MUST LOVE VAMPIRES features wondrous characters and killer plots guaranteed to make you giggle and swoon!”
- JoyfullyReviewed.com
In ONE LAST BITE, national bestselling author Heidi Betts brings you the tantalizing happily-ever-after finale to her full-length vampire romance MUST LOVE VAMPIRES. Visit HeidiBetts.com for details.
Spoiler Alert! Do not read this epilogue until you’ve read MUST LOVE VAMPIRES. Unless you don’t mind ruining your appetite by eating dessert first...**
“MUST LOVE VAMPIRES is drop dead funny! If you are in a bad mood, pick this book up and I swear you will laugh your butt off! MUST LOVE VAMPIRES is a guaranteed pick me up! Heidi Betts’s MUST LOVE VAMPIRES features wondrous characters and killer plots guaranteed to make you giggle and swoon!”
- JoyfullyReviewed.com
In ONE LAST BITE, national bestselling author Heidi Betts brings you the tantalizing happily-ever-after finale to her full-length vampire romance MUST LOVE VAMPIRES. Visit HeidiBetts.com for details.
An Unwanted Hunger [Kindle Edition]
I actually really enjoyed this book and gave it 5 stars which is rare for me. free for the kindle download.
Book 1 in the Soul of V’Kar series.Passion this strong is dangerous. They both know it. Mortal enemies, their respective factions have been at war since the dawn of man. Resa is a Dhampir, bred and trained to hunt Vampyres. Constantine is a prince among the Vampyre, the oldest and most lethal.Nothing good can come of this hunger, this need that drives them relentlessly toward one another. Neither reason nor devotion to duty can stay their need. There is but one way to quench the thirst that drives them. Once sated, they can return to the battle and see which one, if either, is left standing.But one drink from the cup of desire serves only to magnify the hunger. One act of lust that could alter them forever, changing the course of destiny.
Book 1 in the Soul of V’Kar series.Passion this strong is dangerous. They both know it. Mortal enemies, their respective factions have been at war since the dawn of man. Resa is a Dhampir, bred and trained to hunt Vampyres. Constantine is a prince among the Vampyre, the oldest and most lethal.Nothing good can come of this hunger, this need that drives them relentlessly toward one another. Neither reason nor devotion to duty can stay their need. There is but one way to quench the thirst that drives them. Once sated, they can return to the battle and see which one, if either, is left standing.But one drink from the cup of desire serves only to magnify the hunger. One act of lust that could alter them forever, changing the course of destiny.
The Bond That Ties Us (Eternal Bonds, Book One) [Kindle Edition]
scifi, romance, actually very fun to read i gave it 4 stars. romance, deception and a good plot.
First in the Eternal Bond seriesHaylie knows her life is about to change the moment she sets foot on the Eurus colony. What she didn't count on was her instant, overwhelming sexual desire for the seven-foot-tall, sexy as hell alien ambassador. He's in her every thought and dream, teasing and taunting her body into a sexual frenzy.Kamran has waited his whole life to find his bonded mate. When she arrives in the form of a slender human with brilliant eyes, he can't stop his all-consuming need to possess her. If their bond is discovered, they will be forced by Briel law to leave the colony, giving up the lives they've worked so hard to build.While Haylie and Kamran fight their growing desire, their colony is threatened by an unseen enemy. When the colony comes under attack by a brutal alien force, can Haylie and Kamran keep their bond a secret and stop the invasion in time to save everyone?
First in the Eternal Bond seriesHaylie knows her life is about to change the moment she sets foot on the Eurus colony. What she didn't count on was her instant, overwhelming sexual desire for the seven-foot-tall, sexy as hell alien ambassador. He's in her every thought and dream, teasing and taunting her body into a sexual frenzy.Kamran has waited his whole life to find his bonded mate. When she arrives in the form of a slender human with brilliant eyes, he can't stop his all-consuming need to possess her. If their bond is discovered, they will be forced by Briel law to leave the colony, giving up the lives they've worked so hard to build.While Haylie and Kamran fight their growing desire, their colony is threatened by an unseen enemy. When the colony comes under attack by a brutal alien force, can Haylie and Kamran keep their bond a secret and stop the invasion in time to save everyone?
All's Fair in Love & Seduction (The Elusive Lords, Book 2.5)
This is actually fun, and has a relatively happy ending.
She hopes to gain his affections
For Miss Elizabeth Smith, sharing her first kiss with the charming Lord Derek Creswell is nothing short of a dream come true...that is, until she is spotted by one of the most influential gossips of the ton. With scandal nipping at her heels, to avoid total social ruin, Elizabeth must present a fiancé by the end of the Season. But when the viscount proves reluctant, Elizabeth is forced to employ a seduction of a different sort...
He is determined to ruin her.
Viscount Derek Creswell believes Elizabeth set out to trap him into marriage. After all, her sister attempted the very same thing with his brother six years before. Now the delectable Miss Smith expects a betrothal and a ring, while Derek finds her ruination infinitely more appealing...
But as Derek sets out to seduce only her body, Elizabeth is intent on claiming his jaded heart.
This is a novella and 29,000 words. Included is a three chapter excerpt of the third full-length book in The Elusive Lords series, AN HEIR OF DECEPTION. The total word count for this book is 43,000 + words.
She hopes to gain his affections
For Miss Elizabeth Smith, sharing her first kiss with the charming Lord Derek Creswell is nothing short of a dream come true...that is, until she is spotted by one of the most influential gossips of the ton. With scandal nipping at her heels, to avoid total social ruin, Elizabeth must present a fiancé by the end of the Season. But when the viscount proves reluctant, Elizabeth is forced to employ a seduction of a different sort...
He is determined to ruin her.
Viscount Derek Creswell believes Elizabeth set out to trap him into marriage. After all, her sister attempted the very same thing with his brother six years before. Now the delectable Miss Smith expects a betrothal and a ring, while Derek finds her ruination infinitely more appealing...
But as Derek sets out to seduce only her body, Elizabeth is intent on claiming his jaded heart.
This is a novella and 29,000 words. Included is a three chapter excerpt of the third full-length book in The Elusive Lords series, AN HEIR OF DECEPTION. The total word count for this book is 43,000 + words.
Seduced by Blood (Erotic Paranormal/Vampire Romance)
definately adult paranormal romance, the intimate scenes are not as bad as i thought they'd be and sometimes even add to the plot.
Nevada Ortiz was an up and coming Los Angeles Police Officer until a chance encounter with a would-be carjacker changes the course of her life. The six and a half foot assailant is dripping with weapons, his preternatural blue eyes drilling into hers, his bite changing everything. Her body’s reaction to his blood, a
seduction within itself, goes hand and hand with raw, animalistic sex.
Nothing is as it seems and everything is in peril, including her life.
Gunner Slade is a vampire with secrets of his own, a soldier who can walk in the sun, a dose of Sangre allowing he and a team of vampires to blend in among the humans, until he puts everything on the line for a woman he can no longer exist without.
Nevada is the first human in existence to have an immunity to a vampire bite, and she requires the blood of two vampires to sustain her.
Not in his nature to share, Gunner Slade might be immortal, but he’s living in hell just the same.
Nevada Ortiz was an up and coming Los Angeles Police Officer until a chance encounter with a would-be carjacker changes the course of her life. The six and a half foot assailant is dripping with weapons, his preternatural blue eyes drilling into hers, his bite changing everything. Her body’s reaction to his blood, a
seduction within itself, goes hand and hand with raw, animalistic sex.
Nothing is as it seems and everything is in peril, including her life.
Gunner Slade is a vampire with secrets of his own, a soldier who can walk in the sun, a dose of Sangre allowing he and a team of vampires to blend in among the humans, until he puts everything on the line for a woman he can no longer exist without.
Nevada is the first human in existence to have an immunity to a vampire bite, and she requires the blood of two vampires to sustain her.
Not in his nature to share, Gunner Slade might be immortal, but he’s living in hell just the same.
In the Garden of Temptation (The Garden Series Book 1)
surprisingly fun to read historical romance.
Product Description
HONOR – Adam Stanford, Earl of Ashworth, has always done the right thing.
DESIRE – Lady Catherine Bourgeault, lonely and rejected, longs to experience passion, to love just once in her life.
TREACHERY – The Baron Bourgeault, to what extremes will an obsessive, unstable man go to achieve his own dark ends?
SEDUCTION – In the face of a love that will not be denied, Adam and Catherine risk everything to be together.
BETRAYAL – What price must Catherine and Adam pay for a forbidden love in a time when honor meant everything?
Product Description
HONOR – Adam Stanford, Earl of Ashworth, has always done the right thing.
DESIRE – Lady Catherine Bourgeault, lonely and rejected, longs to experience passion, to love just once in her life.
TREACHERY – The Baron Bourgeault, to what extremes will an obsessive, unstable man go to achieve his own dark ends?
SEDUCTION – In the face of a love that will not be denied, Adam and Catherine risk everything to be together.
BETRAYAL – What price must Catherine and Adam pay for a forbidden love in a time when honor meant everything?
Thirst (Ava Delaney #1)
finished Thirst (Ava Delaney #1). better plot than i hoped. fun and wierd. thankfully no sex. i actually want to read the next one.
Ava Delaney calls herself a hybrid - a living, breathing human who happens to have vampire poison running through her veins. The only thing greater than her thirst for human blood is her capacity for guilt. She does her best to avoid the human world, for everyone's sake.
When Ava accidentally enslaves a human while saving him from a vampire, she realises she has to look for help setting him free. Despite her misgivings, she expands her world but finds herself dragged into a possible vampire civil war. With the help of some new friends with ambiguous loyalties, she tries to find a way to keep her human, and herself, alive.
At approx. 45,000 words, Thirst is the first in a series of paranormal novellas. Now comes with preview chapters of Taunt (Ava Delaney #2).
Ava Delaney calls herself a hybrid - a living, breathing human who happens to have vampire poison running through her veins. The only thing greater than her thirst for human blood is her capacity for guilt. She does her best to avoid the human world, for everyone's sake.
When Ava accidentally enslaves a human while saving him from a vampire, she realises she has to look for help setting him free. Despite her misgivings, she expands her world but finds herself dragged into a possible vampire civil war. With the help of some new friends with ambiguous loyalties, she tries to find a way to keep her human, and herself, alive.
At approx. 45,000 words, Thirst is the first in a series of paranormal novellas. Now comes with preview chapters of Taunt (Ava Delaney #2).
Eye of the Tiger - Reincarnation Exists' and it shifts shape - a shapeshifter paranormal romance - a menage a trois story
its actually not as bad as the review sounds. surprisingly it makes sense in a weird sort of way.
Warning: Content has descriptions of explicit sex and is intended for adult readers only.- A detective investigating a bizarre gruesome killing in the Hollywood hills discovers definitive proof that reincarnation not only exists, it shifts shape - and has bad breath.Lt. Ray Stolz walks back from the forest into the lights of the crime scene, a 'changed' man. The medical examiner is looking at the body. No doubt the guy was killed by a big cat, probably a cougar.Yeah, Stolz agrees flatly. It must have been a cougar. But this will not be released to the press. Death will be from a sustained frenzied attack by a person, or persons unknown with criminal intent. He continues back to his car
Warning: Content has descriptions of explicit sex and is intended for adult readers only.- A detective investigating a bizarre gruesome killing in the Hollywood hills discovers definitive proof that reincarnation not only exists, it shifts shape - and has bad breath.Lt. Ray Stolz walks back from the forest into the lights of the crime scene, a 'changed' man. The medical examiner is looking at the body. No doubt the guy was killed by a big cat, probably a cougar.Yeah, Stolz agrees flatly. It must have been a cougar. But this will not be released to the press. Death will be from a sustained frenzied attack by a person, or persons unknown with criminal intent. He continues back to his car
Forbidden Fruit (The Sisterhood of Darkness)
it might be free for the kindle, but with its bad formatting and lack of grammar check, i can't recommend this to anyone.
Discovery of Death (Blood of my World Novella One): A Paranormal Romance
3 stars, tragedy, teenage angst.
fun to read, but there's a twist in the middle to the end of the book.
"A refreshing teen fantasy full of bite, blood and romance." -- K. H. Koehler, author of RaijuZach and Rose had fallen in love during their sophomore year, their worlds completely changed and utterly belonging to each other’s. It was the first time either had fallen in love, deeply, purely. Aiming for a future together, plans were interrupted when Zach went missing for three long months, leaving Rose distraught, heartbroken and depressed.Zach awakens in the dark of a coffin, his memory erased, his life and feelings for Rose forgotten. A strange group of people who identify themselves as his family reveal he has become a vampire, one of the undead.
SPOILER ALERT:
the boy turned vampire has to drink blood to regain his memories, the first person he kills is his girlfriend's mom. horrified and sickened her tries to reconcile the fact that the girl he loves might be out of his reach.
fun to read, but there's a twist in the middle to the end of the book.
"A refreshing teen fantasy full of bite, blood and romance." -- K. H. Koehler, author of RaijuZach and Rose had fallen in love during their sophomore year, their worlds completely changed and utterly belonging to each other’s. It was the first time either had fallen in love, deeply, purely. Aiming for a future together, plans were interrupted when Zach went missing for three long months, leaving Rose distraught, heartbroken and depressed.Zach awakens in the dark of a coffin, his memory erased, his life and feelings for Rose forgotten. A strange group of people who identify themselves as his family reveal he has become a vampire, one of the undead.
SPOILER ALERT:
the boy turned vampire has to drink blood to regain his memories, the first person he kills is his girlfriend's mom. horrified and sickened her tries to reconcile the fact that the girl he loves might be out of his reach.
Moon Dance (Vampire for Hire #1)
3 stars, sad cliffhanger.
Mother, wife, private investigator...vampire. Six years ago federal agent Samantha Moon was the perfect wife and mother, your typical soccer mom with the minivan and suburban home. Then the unthinkable happens, an attack that changes her life forever. And forever is a very long time for a vampire. Now the world at large thinks Samantha has developed a rare skin disease, a disease which forces her to quit her day job and stay out of the light of the sun. Now working the night shift as a private investigator, Samantha is hired by Kingsley Fulcrum to investigate the murder attempt on his life, a horrific scene captured on TV and seen around the country.
Mother, wife, private investigator...vampire. Six years ago federal agent Samantha Moon was the perfect wife and mother, your typical soccer mom with the minivan and suburban home. Then the unthinkable happens, an attack that changes her life forever. And forever is a very long time for a vampire. Now the world at large thinks Samantha has developed a rare skin disease, a disease which forces her to quit her day job and stay out of the light of the sun. Now working the night shift as a private investigator, Samantha is hired by Kingsley Fulcrum to investigate the murder attempt on his life, a horrific scene captured on TV and seen around the country.
Victoria Gardella: Vampire Slayer (The Gardella Vampire Chronicles)
(Previously published as part of The Mammoth Book of Vampire Romance. Now with exclusive excerpts and bonus material.)A short story introducing readers to the Gardella Vampire Chronicles.1820: Victoria Gardella tries to enjoy a ball with her new beau, Lord Rockley--but when bloodthirsty vampires come upon the scene, she must leave the fun in order to employ her stake along- side a grim Max Pesaro (vampire slayer) and the mysterious Sebastian Vioget.
3 stars
3 stars
Shelter (Blood Haze: Book One) A Paranormal Romance
teenage angst, no adult intimate moments, fun read.
Two guys, one girl, and two dark secrets that threaten to tear her world apart.Alice Wright is a young vampire going to high school for the first time at the age of seventeen at the behest of her eccentric mother. In many ways, she's more afraid of the human students than they would be of her.She feels lost and awkward in human society, but she soon develops a strong bond with the cousin of one of her human classmates, nineteen year old Kai. He is beautiful, but somewhat of an enigma. She discovers a dark secret in Kai's life, and she instantly wants to shelter him from the pain that has tormented him all his life.Then she meets Maksim Augustine.
Two guys, one girl, and two dark secrets that threaten to tear her world apart.Alice Wright is a young vampire going to high school for the first time at the age of seventeen at the behest of her eccentric mother. In many ways, she's more afraid of the human students than they would be of her.She feels lost and awkward in human society, but she soon develops a strong bond with the cousin of one of her human classmates, nineteen year old Kai. He is beautiful, but somewhat of an enigma. She discovers a dark secret in Kai's life, and she instantly wants to shelter him from the pain that has tormented him all his life.Then she meets Maksim Augustine.
Hidden by Blood (A Sweetblood Novel)
surprisingly fun to read.
Deep within the forests of the Pacific Northwest, two vampire coalitions battle for supremacy--Guardians who safeguard humanity and Darkbloods, rogues who will stop at nothing to satisfy their craving for the sweetest of human blood.Now, former Army Ranger Finn McKentry finds himself imprisoned as a blood slave, forced to submit to an enemy more powerful than any he's encountered before. Only Brenna Stewart, the woman he'd loved and lost, can set him free--but the secret she harbors might lead them down the most dangerous path of all...An ebook exclusive Sweetblood novella."Dark and sinfully sexy."--New York Times bestselling author Cherry Adair on Bonded by Blood
Deep within the forests of the Pacific Northwest, two vampire coalitions battle for supremacy--Guardians who safeguard humanity and Darkbloods, rogues who will stop at nothing to satisfy their craving for the sweetest of human blood.Now, former Army Ranger Finn McKentry finds himself imprisoned as a blood slave, forced to submit to an enemy more powerful than any he's encountered before. Only Brenna Stewart, the woman he'd loved and lost, can set him free--but the secret she harbors might lead them down the most dangerous path of all...An ebook exclusive Sweetblood novella."Dark and sinfully sexy."--New York Times bestselling author Cherry Adair on Bonded by Blood
The Vampire's Warden, a Paranormal Romance (Undead in Brown County #1
roundabout plot i was sad when it ended on a cliffhanger. tragedy, almost no teenage angst. well written.
other reviews:
** Now includes bonus material from The Vampire's Curse: Book 2 in the series.**"I found this book to be unique in its approach to the typical vampire story. It's far from typical it's very different. I'm not going to give a spoiler here other than its storyline of the sentinel concept is awesome and very different. I can't wait to read the next book in the series. Very Well Done. Buy it and read it now if you haven't yet." - KhloeZoe via B&N Review" S.J. Wright is an author to be on the lookout for! Her writing style is fantastic, The world she created in The Vampire's Warden was so real to me! I cannot wait for this series to continue!
other reviews:
** Now includes bonus material from The Vampire's Curse: Book 2 in the series.**"I found this book to be unique in its approach to the typical vampire story. It's far from typical it's very different. I'm not going to give a spoiler here other than its storyline of the sentinel concept is awesome and very different. I can't wait to read the next book in the series. Very Well Done. Buy it and read it now if you haven't yet." - KhloeZoe via B&N Review" S.J. Wright is an author to be on the lookout for! Her writing style is fantastic, The world she created in The Vampire's Warden was so real to me! I cannot wait for this series to continue!
Monday, May 3, 2010
Time for the stars by Robert A. Heinlein
Time for the stars by Robert A. Heinlein
ISBN:0345301862
Copyright 1956 by Robert A. Heinlein
There is a reason this man is a master of the sci-fi genre, don't forget that.
He has a writing style that lends itself to being understood. Not everyone can write sci-fi without explaining a lot of made up technology, or coming up with easy ways to grasp modern theoretical concepts.
He does neither here.
This is simply a well written story, that grasps a piece of everyday humanity.
You do not need to have been born when this was written, there is no popular slang or difficult scientific concepts.
In fact the concepts he uses are still debated today over fifty years later.
I'm not sure if I should be proud of the progress we have made understanding the human mind or appalled at the lack thereof.
If I were appalled then I would have to think that the human mind and brain are the same thing. Well I'm not and I know better, so do you.
When reading this you do not feel as if are reading a contemporary novel written over fifty years ago. Actually considering the theme for this book he'd appreciate that.
Take normal late high school teenage brothers, twins that don't have that sick instant bond that is seen in many novels or horror movies, add twins abilities to have their own communication. Sounds like normal life right?
Now lets make this Science fiction.
Take a research company who sees the potential of having twins speak telepathically to each other aboard research vessels. Discoveries and information is instantaneous.
Its still not quite science fiction.
Take one twin and put him on a space ship and the other stays back on earth, dirtside, while the ship searches for planets to colonize. There will be times when the ship travels close to light speed and then back to relative time. Years pass for one and not the other. How will they keep passing information back and forth if the other dies?
With the instant passing of scientific information scientists can keep up with the frontiersmen.
There is a nice twist at the end of the book about technology and Columbus, mentioning it here will spoil it.
When you have that quick intake of breath that preceeds having realized you just overlooked something obvious, remember I warned you. There is a satisfying ending, with bits of happy.
Everyone should read one of the masters, this is just a good reason why.
ISBN:0345301862
Copyright 1956 by Robert A. Heinlein
There is a reason this man is a master of the sci-fi genre, don't forget that.
He has a writing style that lends itself to being understood. Not everyone can write sci-fi without explaining a lot of made up technology, or coming up with easy ways to grasp modern theoretical concepts.
He does neither here.
This is simply a well written story, that grasps a piece of everyday humanity.
You do not need to have been born when this was written, there is no popular slang or difficult scientific concepts.
In fact the concepts he uses are still debated today over fifty years later.
I'm not sure if I should be proud of the progress we have made understanding the human mind or appalled at the lack thereof.
If I were appalled then I would have to think that the human mind and brain are the same thing. Well I'm not and I know better, so do you.
When reading this you do not feel as if are reading a contemporary novel written over fifty years ago. Actually considering the theme for this book he'd appreciate that.
Take normal late high school teenage brothers, twins that don't have that sick instant bond that is seen in many novels or horror movies, add twins abilities to have their own communication. Sounds like normal life right?
Now lets make this Science fiction.
Take a research company who sees the potential of having twins speak telepathically to each other aboard research vessels. Discoveries and information is instantaneous.
Its still not quite science fiction.
Take one twin and put him on a space ship and the other stays back on earth, dirtside, while the ship searches for planets to colonize. There will be times when the ship travels close to light speed and then back to relative time. Years pass for one and not the other. How will they keep passing information back and forth if the other dies?
With the instant passing of scientific information scientists can keep up with the frontiersmen.
There is a nice twist at the end of the book about technology and Columbus, mentioning it here will spoil it.
When you have that quick intake of breath that preceeds having realized you just overlooked something obvious, remember I warned you. There is a satisfying ending, with bits of happy.
Everyone should read one of the masters, this is just a good reason why.
Thursday, April 29, 2010
All the Weyrs of Pern (Dragonriders of Pern Series)
by Anne McCaffrey
Do not read this book as your first leap into the dragon riders of pern universe. This is the end of the series.
That said if you have read all of the other books in order, keep going.
I believe there are two responses to the conclusion to the mythos; satisfaction or disillusionment for the science fiction fantasy genre.
Pern is a world that is plagued intermittently over hundreds of years according to the orbit of their planet with Thread. Thread is a red parasitic entity that burns everything it touches. Dragon riders are people who go up into the sky with their trained intelligent telepathic dragon partners to burn the Thread before it coats the ground. If Thread is allowed to fall unchecked, everything below will be killed. Not even the crops will survive.
The whole existence of the dragon riders is to find a way to destroy the thread of thread forever. Now here in this book is their chance.
You will love Jaxom, Lessa, and Masterharper Robinton. You will despise the narrow mindedness and fear of the people you are supposed to. You will see the enormity of their struggle and how far this branch of humanity has actually come. If you liked the rest of the series chances are you will like this one.
I do believe that this end is fitting to her series.
We want a safe world for our children, our families, where we can live in peace and thrive. We may never live to see what we dream come to fruition but there is hope that our children's children will. Nevertheless that knowledge does not stop us from trying to lay the groundwork for what we dream will come.
That sacrifice is the heart of humanity.
I was pleased with the ending and glad to have read it.
End of non spoiler review.
POTENTIAL SPOILER:
The first publication of this book was in 1991, and it was on the forefront of the trend to take fantasy worlds and connect them to modern day. Its not the first of its kind, its not the last of its kind.
MAJOR SPOILER THIS IS THE MIDDLE AND THE END OF THE BOOK FOLKS:
Did we really not see it coming that Pern is one of the first attempts at colonization after humanity left Earth? no. The potential was too strongly written into the other books.
Do we enjoy seeing the fear and prejudices inherent in humanity thrown in our faces as an object lesson on why we are doomed to fail any great scientific journey? No.
Did we appreciate the irony that finding this out after a long series of books will annoy some people who think they are above needing the message? yes.
Did we shed a tear for Masterharper Robinton? oh yes many.
Do not read this book as your first leap into the dragon riders of pern universe. This is the end of the series.
That said if you have read all of the other books in order, keep going.
I believe there are two responses to the conclusion to the mythos; satisfaction or disillusionment for the science fiction fantasy genre.
Pern is a world that is plagued intermittently over hundreds of years according to the orbit of their planet with Thread. Thread is a red parasitic entity that burns everything it touches. Dragon riders are people who go up into the sky with their trained intelligent telepathic dragon partners to burn the Thread before it coats the ground. If Thread is allowed to fall unchecked, everything below will be killed. Not even the crops will survive.
The whole existence of the dragon riders is to find a way to destroy the thread of thread forever. Now here in this book is their chance.
You will love Jaxom, Lessa, and Masterharper Robinton. You will despise the narrow mindedness and fear of the people you are supposed to. You will see the enormity of their struggle and how far this branch of humanity has actually come. If you liked the rest of the series chances are you will like this one.
I do believe that this end is fitting to her series.
We want a safe world for our children, our families, where we can live in peace and thrive. We may never live to see what we dream come to fruition but there is hope that our children's children will. Nevertheless that knowledge does not stop us from trying to lay the groundwork for what we dream will come.
That sacrifice is the heart of humanity.
I was pleased with the ending and glad to have read it.
End of non spoiler review.
POTENTIAL SPOILER:
The first publication of this book was in 1991, and it was on the forefront of the trend to take fantasy worlds and connect them to modern day. Its not the first of its kind, its not the last of its kind.
MAJOR SPOILER THIS IS THE MIDDLE AND THE END OF THE BOOK FOLKS:
Did we really not see it coming that Pern is one of the first attempts at colonization after humanity left Earth? no. The potential was too strongly written into the other books.
Do we enjoy seeing the fear and prejudices inherent in humanity thrown in our faces as an object lesson on why we are doomed to fail any great scientific journey? No.
Did we appreciate the irony that finding this out after a long series of books will annoy some people who think they are above needing the message? yes.
Did we shed a tear for Masterharper Robinton? oh yes many.
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Next by Michael Crichton
There are a lot of reviews that state this book mixes the comic, bizarre and frightening. I found nothing frightening about it.
Universities, Independent research labs, pharmaceutical companies all have blanket patents on genes. this is fact, legally in America today.
Next explores what happens when companies go beyond what they've gotten legal rights to do and create more. The problems with genetic modification, the problems with a company owning your "unwanted" tissue samples and feeling entitled to replenish their stock if something happens to their supply. Where does ownership end? their children? can that take it from you while still living?
How many types of genes separate humans from apes, what do these genes do? what can we do to them can we make a hybrid trans species ape that talks and reasons? What if it works? What do you do with the essentially child like creature when the company wants it destroyed as so much test subject waste?
At the end of the book are recommendations from Michael himself:
1 stop patenting genes.
2 establish clear guidelines for the uses of human tissue.
3 pass laws to ensure that data about gene testing is made public.
4 avoid bans on research
5 Rescind the Bayh-Dole Act. (from rjladya: I don't know if this has been done or not.)
Then there is a whole slew of books on genetics listed in a bibliography in the back.
Good book, makes you wonder about what is going on in places where research will never see the light of day. I recommend it highly.
Universities, Independent research labs, pharmaceutical companies all have blanket patents on genes. this is fact, legally in America today.
Next explores what happens when companies go beyond what they've gotten legal rights to do and create more. The problems with genetic modification, the problems with a company owning your "unwanted" tissue samples and feeling entitled to replenish their stock if something happens to their supply. Where does ownership end? their children? can that take it from you while still living?
How many types of genes separate humans from apes, what do these genes do? what can we do to them can we make a hybrid trans species ape that talks and reasons? What if it works? What do you do with the essentially child like creature when the company wants it destroyed as so much test subject waste?
At the end of the book are recommendations from Michael himself:
1 stop patenting genes.
2 establish clear guidelines for the uses of human tissue.
3 pass laws to ensure that data about gene testing is made public.
4 avoid bans on research
5 Rescind the Bayh-Dole Act. (from rjladya: I don't know if this has been done or not.)
Then there is a whole slew of books on genetics listed in a bibliography in the back.
Good book, makes you wonder about what is going on in places where research will never see the light of day. I recommend it highly.
Thursday, March 18, 2010
A Little Magic by Nora Roberts
Ok This is a collection of three romantic stories, they delve deeply into the beliefs and legends of Ireland.
Yes when I am depressed I read romance novels. sigh I admit it but I am very picky about the authors I choose and the type of stories I choose.
Spellbound- A man has dream of a woman through his whole life, she grows with him and he can not find a living woman to compare. Taking a break from his life as a photographer he travels to Ireland and much to his astonishment finds her.
Ever After- A woman who is more of a dreamer than practical is working as a tour guide helper to her sister. She loses her way and finds a lonely man living in the woods, a famous sculptor. She brings life and joy to his home and even though he was told she was meant for him he doesn't want to live his life the way fate dictates. Little does he know love freely given is not the chains he once feared.
In Dreams- A man who wields magic is betrayed by a woman he loved. He took a life and is punished for it by living in a dream state doomed to only have seven days of existence every hundred years. A woman in the midst of a personal crisis untouched by love wrecks her car in a storm and finds her way to him. IF she stays at the end of the seventh day she will live his existence with him. She doesn't believe in fairy tales but maybe this one man can teach her how to dream.
These three stories are short, novellas. The intimate scenes are romantic, not the descriptions of bodies writhing like in so many other romance novels.
Nora Roberts leave you with the feeling that in modern times you can find your fairy tale ending if you trust to fate, and a little magic.
Yes when I am depressed I read romance novels. sigh I admit it but I am very picky about the authors I choose and the type of stories I choose.
Spellbound- A man has dream of a woman through his whole life, she grows with him and he can not find a living woman to compare. Taking a break from his life as a photographer he travels to Ireland and much to his astonishment finds her.
Ever After- A woman who is more of a dreamer than practical is working as a tour guide helper to her sister. She loses her way and finds a lonely man living in the woods, a famous sculptor. She brings life and joy to his home and even though he was told she was meant for him he doesn't want to live his life the way fate dictates. Little does he know love freely given is not the chains he once feared.
In Dreams- A man who wields magic is betrayed by a woman he loved. He took a life and is punished for it by living in a dream state doomed to only have seven days of existence every hundred years. A woman in the midst of a personal crisis untouched by love wrecks her car in a storm and finds her way to him. IF she stays at the end of the seventh day she will live his existence with him. She doesn't believe in fairy tales but maybe this one man can teach her how to dream.
These three stories are short, novellas. The intimate scenes are romantic, not the descriptions of bodies writhing like in so many other romance novels.
Nora Roberts leave you with the feeling that in modern times you can find your fairy tale ending if you trust to fate, and a little magic.
Incubus Dreams by Laurel K. Hamilton
This is another one of her Anita Blake vampire hunter series, published in 2004
There are more Anita Blake novels but I haven't gotten to them yet. Yes this is another paranormal romance but there aren't very traditional romantic scenes in the book.
Anita is second to the master vampire of the city, has her own metaphysical bond to five different men for different reasons. Some of which are wereleopards,vampires, a vampire servant and some because thy were there at the time she hit a metaphysical crisis. Her day job is raising zombies, her night job is to assist the local police with crimes they might think are vampire related. Vampires have legal rights as citizens now but that doesn't make her job easier.
spoilers:
OK we all know that the Anita Blake books revolve around "intimate moments" to feed her vampire hunger, her wereanimal hungers, to keep her triumverates alive, and the ardeur, but my god there was so much of it with different pairings in a row that i started skimming for it to stop. After about twenty pages three quarters through the book I felt as if I had lost some plot in there somewhere. Yes Anita gets over some of her hangups and treats Nathanial the way he wants ot be treated, gets some of the closure she needs from Richard and helps Jean-Claude but somewhere I missed some plot. I don't know if its true but it feels like it.
oh I think I have a mental crush on Requiem.
658 pages long and it took me most of the day to read it. Have fun!
There are more Anita Blake novels but I haven't gotten to them yet. Yes this is another paranormal romance but there aren't very traditional romantic scenes in the book.
Anita is second to the master vampire of the city, has her own metaphysical bond to five different men for different reasons. Some of which are wereleopards,vampires, a vampire servant and some because thy were there at the time she hit a metaphysical crisis. Her day job is raising zombies, her night job is to assist the local police with crimes they might think are vampire related. Vampires have legal rights as citizens now but that doesn't make her job easier.
spoilers:
OK we all know that the Anita Blake books revolve around "intimate moments" to feed her vampire hunger, her wereanimal hungers, to keep her triumverates alive, and the ardeur, but my god there was so much of it with different pairings in a row that i started skimming for it to stop. After about twenty pages three quarters through the book I felt as if I had lost some plot in there somewhere. Yes Anita gets over some of her hangups and treats Nathanial the way he wants ot be treated, gets some of the closure she needs from Richard and helps Jean-Claude but somewhere I missed some plot. I don't know if its true but it feels like it.
oh I think I have a mental crush on Requiem.
658 pages long and it took me most of the day to read it. Have fun!
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Vampire of the Mists (Ravenloft Books Book1)
I have the September 1991 version with the old Ravenloft logo and original cover art.
TSR decided that it would be a good idea to make a bunch of open ended Ravenloft books, this is the first one in this series. That way the only thing that continues the story is the main villian Count Strahd Von Zarovich.
WARNING: the ending is not a happy one, fitting yes happy no.
Jander Sunstar is a sun elf. He is native to Evermeet in the Forgotten Realms. Yes TSR makes their worlds connect. Jadar was turned into a vampire at the young age of 200 barely the beginning of his elven existance. Five hundred years later, while wishing he could kill himself and get it over with he meets a woman in an asylum who was magically cursed and seemed insane. He takes care of her and when she dies it destroys what little is left in him of the light. He screams to the heavens for vengance against the one who made her this way and the mists answer.
He finds himself transported to the realm of ravenloft and there is where his downfall starts. Add a gypsys, a young priest some good folklore, and sit down with a box of tissues because our Elf does not survive.
Its a good start to the Ravenloft books. I still hate Strahd but its one of those fun kind of hates that we have for a favorite villian.
If you are a dragonlance, ravenloft, forgotten realms or other d&d world fan this is like old home week. have fun, took me three hours to read.
TSR decided that it would be a good idea to make a bunch of open ended Ravenloft books, this is the first one in this series. That way the only thing that continues the story is the main villian Count Strahd Von Zarovich.
WARNING: the ending is not a happy one, fitting yes happy no.
Jander Sunstar is a sun elf. He is native to Evermeet in the Forgotten Realms. Yes TSR makes their worlds connect. Jadar was turned into a vampire at the young age of 200 barely the beginning of his elven existance. Five hundred years later, while wishing he could kill himself and get it over with he meets a woman in an asylum who was magically cursed and seemed insane. He takes care of her and when she dies it destroys what little is left in him of the light. He screams to the heavens for vengance against the one who made her this way and the mists answer.
He finds himself transported to the realm of ravenloft and there is where his downfall starts. Add a gypsys, a young priest some good folklore, and sit down with a box of tissues because our Elf does not survive.
Its a good start to the Ravenloft books. I still hate Strahd but its one of those fun kind of hates that we have for a favorite villian.
If you are a dragonlance, ravenloft, forgotten realms or other d&d world fan this is like old home week. have fun, took me three hours to read.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
The Dark Tower by Stephen King (Book 7)
I put off reading this book because I didn't want to end the tale, and an epic tale it is.
Mr. King started the dark tower series in 1970 and finished it in 2003.
(I take a knee and say Thankee-sai King)
This book is well worth waiting for. All of our epic struggles, the fear, the hopes the years of waiting to hear how this was going to end and I can't even begin to describe it to you.
~
Roland, the gunslinger, must stop the Crimson King from reaching the Tower, if he does not all worlds, all versions of our world will be destroyed (thrown into Discordia). Roland is the last of his bloodline, (the line of Eld) and only he can climb the stairs and save the tower.
~
Do you want to know if he makes it?
Does Everyone die?
Does Roland live through it?
What about the other characters and references from over fifteen other books King has written outside of these seven?
~
You learn everything here, and more than you wanted to know.
(let me know when you get out of odd's lane.)
I am trying not to give away secrets from this book or any of the others and this is hard, there's a part of my heart that wants to sing the song of the rose to the heavens, and a part of me that weeps, actually did weep as I closed that back cover.
Stephen King said at the end of this book, I am going to paraphrase a paragraph into a sentence here:
If you don't like the ending don't yell at me this is how its supposed to end.
~
He's right, you won't like all of it, you may not like any of it, but the ending feels RIGHT.
That's why I cried and I'm going to save these books and give them to my son when he's old enough to read them for himself.
Mr. King started the dark tower series in 1970 and finished it in 2003.
(I take a knee and say Thankee-sai King)
This book is well worth waiting for. All of our epic struggles, the fear, the hopes the years of waiting to hear how this was going to end and I can't even begin to describe it to you.
~
Roland, the gunslinger, must stop the Crimson King from reaching the Tower, if he does not all worlds, all versions of our world will be destroyed (thrown into Discordia). Roland is the last of his bloodline, (the line of Eld) and only he can climb the stairs and save the tower.
~
Do you want to know if he makes it?
Does Everyone die?
Does Roland live through it?
What about the other characters and references from over fifteen other books King has written outside of these seven?
~
You learn everything here, and more than you wanted to know.
(let me know when you get out of odd's lane.)
I am trying not to give away secrets from this book or any of the others and this is hard, there's a part of my heart that wants to sing the song of the rose to the heavens, and a part of me that weeps, actually did weep as I closed that back cover.
Stephen King said at the end of this book, I am going to paraphrase a paragraph into a sentence here:
If you don't like the ending don't yell at me this is how its supposed to end.
~
He's right, you won't like all of it, you may not like any of it, but the ending feels RIGHT.
That's why I cried and I'm going to save these books and give them to my son when he's old enough to read them for himself.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
The Black Hole by Alan Dean Foster
ISBN: 0345285387 published 1979
An exploratory team of scientists and a reporter are returning from deep space. They discover a black hole. Not just any black hole but the biggest ever found. At the edge of it sitting next to the event horizon not moving is a ship, the first deep space exploration ship ever launched by earth (the Cygnus). Is the ship still inhabited? Why is the ship not being torn apart by the gravitational forces of the black hole is is so close to? Why is it not moving towards the black hole? After trying to get close to the Cygnus and almost being destroyed, this team of scientists must land to try to salvage parts to continue their own journey home.
Good scifi, different ending not typical of the late seventies. This book was made into a Disney movie in the eighties.
Worth it for people who want science fiction without aliens, trust me humanity is sometimes horrific enough.
An exploratory team of scientists and a reporter are returning from deep space. They discover a black hole. Not just any black hole but the biggest ever found. At the edge of it sitting next to the event horizon not moving is a ship, the first deep space exploration ship ever launched by earth (the Cygnus). Is the ship still inhabited? Why is the ship not being torn apart by the gravitational forces of the black hole is is so close to? Why is it not moving towards the black hole? After trying to get close to the Cygnus and almost being destroyed, this team of scientists must land to try to salvage parts to continue their own journey home.
Good scifi, different ending not typical of the late seventies. This book was made into a Disney movie in the eighties.
Worth it for people who want science fiction without aliens, trust me humanity is sometimes horrific enough.
Circle of magic, Sandry's Book by Tamora Pierce
isbn:0590554085
The circle of magic series is comprised of four books, each telling the story of a young magician with unique abilities. Their lives are intertwined so their stories are as well.
Book one is really an introduction to about how the four of them ended up at Winding Circle to be trained.
They are all from different lives; street thief, noble woman, sea trader child, and a girl abandoned by her relatives. Their unique magics in a world of magicians are; weather magic, metalworking, spirit weaving and plant magic.
They are all characters designed to be easily sympathized with. Any early teenage child will find their thoughts and hopes similar to their own. They deal with all of the normal issues of life in ways we would never have the opportunity to.
The thing that makes this book more interesting than the other children's fantasy books out there is the way the story is told. There are twists and turns that are actually not expected.
Word of advice though if you plan to read it or give this book to a child get all four books the stories do not end at the end of the book.
The circle of magic series is comprised of four books, each telling the story of a young magician with unique abilities. Their lives are intertwined so their stories are as well.
Book one is really an introduction to about how the four of them ended up at Winding Circle to be trained.
They are all from different lives; street thief, noble woman, sea trader child, and a girl abandoned by her relatives. Their unique magics in a world of magicians are; weather magic, metalworking, spirit weaving and plant magic.
They are all characters designed to be easily sympathized with. Any early teenage child will find their thoughts and hopes similar to their own. They deal with all of the normal issues of life in ways we would never have the opportunity to.
The thing that makes this book more interesting than the other children's fantasy books out there is the way the story is told. There are twists and turns that are actually not expected.
Word of advice though if you plan to read it or give this book to a child get all four books the stories do not end at the end of the book.
Monday, January 11, 2010
David Eddings, The Diamond Throne (Book 1 of the Elenium)
Its so nice to read a book that doesn't annoy me.
This is high fantasy, knights, a bit of magic, intrigue and a queen to rescue.
There is nothing I can say to cram all of the things that were in this book into a summary.
I'll have to come back to this one just READ IT!!!
This is high fantasy, knights, a bit of magic, intrigue and a queen to rescue.
There is nothing I can say to cram all of the things that were in this book into a summary.
I'll have to come back to this one just READ IT!!!
A Gentleman's Honor by Stephanie Laurens
ISBN: 0060002077
Disclaimer: I don't read romance novels normally, but when they are given to me i give them each a good read, usually with a bowl of popcorn.
This is the second book in the Bastion Club series. The Bastion Club is a private residence owned by friends who are all ex-agents for the government. They needed a last bastion from the dowagers of the ton.
Alicia is a capable, intelligent woman who after her family died had to pretend to be a widow to chaperon her sister to the ton. They could not afford to hire maids or other things that two young women who should be launched into society should have. Their hope is that she marries well and that they can pay off their debts, have money so their younger brothers can go to school and grow up well. They decide that they will not try to fool a man into thinking they are wealthier than they are and hope for a love match.
They design and sew their own gowns and are in general resourceful.
Tony is an ass, he has this moment of wounded male pride where he wants to force a confession from our heroine and has an intimate night with her. yeah... um ok whatever.
I was fine with the brooding hero but after that I barely finished the book. I felt let down by an author who has given better plot twists than this.
Disclaimer: I don't read romance novels normally, but when they are given to me i give them each a good read, usually with a bowl of popcorn.
This is the second book in the Bastion Club series. The Bastion Club is a private residence owned by friends who are all ex-agents for the government. They needed a last bastion from the dowagers of the ton.
Alicia is a capable, intelligent woman who after her family died had to pretend to be a widow to chaperon her sister to the ton. They could not afford to hire maids or other things that two young women who should be launched into society should have. Their hope is that she marries well and that they can pay off their debts, have money so their younger brothers can go to school and grow up well. They decide that they will not try to fool a man into thinking they are wealthier than they are and hope for a love match.
They design and sew their own gowns and are in general resourceful.
Tony is an ass, he has this moment of wounded male pride where he wants to force a confession from our heroine and has an intimate night with her. yeah... um ok whatever.
I was fine with the brooding hero but after that I barely finished the book. I felt let down by an author who has given better plot twists than this.
The Truth About Love by Stephanie Laurens
ISBN:9780060505769
Disclaimer: I don't read romance novels normally, but when they are given to me i give them each a good read, usually with a bowl of popcorn.
This Cynster novel is about a brother-in law to one of the first 7 Cynsters. So not technically a Cynster novel but it works.
There is a nice tragedy and a couple of murders to make the book a good read. Her accurate portrayal of society and the damage that the haute ton can do to people's lives makes a nice commentary about polite society.
Again an artistic intelligent woman but she is forced to live apart from the circles that she was born into because of scandal. Enter our nobleman artist commissioned ot paint her portrait. He has no interest in her only her family's famous estate gardens in honor of the greek gods. Intrigue ensues and a romance is born.
Keep the popcorn handy.
Disclaimer: I don't read romance novels normally, but when they are given to me i give them each a good read, usually with a bowl of popcorn.
This Cynster novel is about a brother-in law to one of the first 7 Cynsters. So not technically a Cynster novel but it works.
There is a nice tragedy and a couple of murders to make the book a good read. Her accurate portrayal of society and the damage that the haute ton can do to people's lives makes a nice commentary about polite society.
Again an artistic intelligent woman but she is forced to live apart from the circles that she was born into because of scandal. Enter our nobleman artist commissioned ot paint her portrait. He has no interest in her only her family's famous estate gardens in honor of the greek gods. Intrigue ensues and a romance is born.
Keep the popcorn handy.
On a Wild Night Stephanie Laurens
ISBN: 0380812037
Disclaimer: I don't read romance novels normally, but when they are given to me i give them each a good read, usually with a bowl of popcorn.
This is another installment of the Cynster novels by Stephanie Laurens. This time its The story of Amanda Cynster. Her first 7 novels in the series dealt with each of her male cousins. I think she wanted to bring a female point of view into the male world but I have no way of knowing. Its a historical romance set in Regency England. Be prepared for horses and gentlemen of the ton.
Amanda is intelligent and far from helpless, along with beautiful. That's always helpful.
All in all a fun read and if you like your heroines smart, sarcastic, and capable; go read this.
Disclaimer: I don't read romance novels normally, but when they are given to me i give them each a good read, usually with a bowl of popcorn.
This is another installment of the Cynster novels by Stephanie Laurens. This time its The story of Amanda Cynster. Her first 7 novels in the series dealt with each of her male cousins. I think she wanted to bring a female point of view into the male world but I have no way of knowing. Its a historical romance set in Regency England. Be prepared for horses and gentlemen of the ton.
Amanda is intelligent and far from helpless, along with beautiful. That's always helpful.
All in all a fun read and if you like your heroines smart, sarcastic, and capable; go read this.
Monday, December 7, 2009
Split Image by Judy Mercer
This is a murder mystery. One where our heroine is an amnesiac, and our hero the one suspected of murdering his wife.
The story sets up the idea for a lot of things that never manifest, Ariel our heroine reporter never really gets into any kind of trouble with her amnesia. Its almost as if its a side note that doesn't matter, the plot could have just as easily been handled with an "I've moved on i don't remember angle."
On page 124 of the copy I have Ariel receives a phone call that she believes is related to a story she just finished working on. She doesn't relate it to the guy she is seeing that could have gotten away with killing his wife.
I think that is where the book went down hill for me. If this woman is such an amazing reporter why doesn't she come to the same conclusion that the reader does there, not two hundred pages later.
All in all an OK read, a true to life ending compared to most fiction, and don't read it if you want a happy ending, read it if you want an ending that makes morbid sense. I was not happy with the plot twists because they didn't seem twisted to me, they seemed to all be laid out like ducks in a row.
SPOILER:
OH of course our girl couldn't end up with the guy who is Right for her, no he has to die in her arms because our author had to make a point. yes the story makes sense and is more true to live than most but I was still hoping Ariel would turn out to be her murdered twin sister.
The story sets up the idea for a lot of things that never manifest, Ariel our heroine reporter never really gets into any kind of trouble with her amnesia. Its almost as if its a side note that doesn't matter, the plot could have just as easily been handled with an "I've moved on i don't remember angle."
On page 124 of the copy I have Ariel receives a phone call that she believes is related to a story she just finished working on. She doesn't relate it to the guy she is seeing that could have gotten away with killing his wife.
I think that is where the book went down hill for me. If this woman is such an amazing reporter why doesn't she come to the same conclusion that the reader does there, not two hundred pages later.
All in all an OK read, a true to life ending compared to most fiction, and don't read it if you want a happy ending, read it if you want an ending that makes morbid sense. I was not happy with the plot twists because they didn't seem twisted to me, they seemed to all be laid out like ducks in a row.
SPOILER:
OH of course our girl couldn't end up with the guy who is Right for her, no he has to die in her arms because our author had to make a point. yes the story makes sense and is more true to live than most but I was still hoping Ariel would turn out to be her murdered twin sister.
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Shadowbridge by Gregory Frost
"Shadowbridge" is a ocean, spotted with a few islands and an eternal ribbon of bridges on which people live. Every bridge has its own traditions, its own culture, and its own gods/myths. The bridges are going somewhere but people never seem to travel more than their own bridge. Hence puppeteers, the wandering storytellers that use everything from hand puppets to full body pantomiming.
Our heroine starts her story off like waking in the middle of a fairy tale. She has the hard life and heart break that ultimately give her the push she needs to shove off and get into her new life, her real life. There are reasons she leaves and reasons she cannot be a puppeteer but because of her talent her friends help her hide it. There are hints that her world is reborn after ours destroys itself and that this is a new earth. The new myths are beautifully detailed so that when someone starts talking about a dragon bowl and madness you are only confused until the titbit of information unfolds in the next few pages. Then the next time you hear or see one you understand the dangers and then a whole new set of fears for our heroine reaches you. You want her to win, you want her to succeed because as with any good fairy tale heroine she deserves it. She is well on her way in this first book. read Lord Tophet to see her ending.
I asked Mr. Frost once if the object she finds is a "-----" and was confirmed. read it its page a hundred and something. IF you can tell me what the object is I will confirm. Again I met him at a book signing at Between Books in Claymont Delaware.
Our heroine starts her story off like waking in the middle of a fairy tale. She has the hard life and heart break that ultimately give her the push she needs to shove off and get into her new life, her real life. There are reasons she leaves and reasons she cannot be a puppeteer but because of her talent her friends help her hide it. There are hints that her world is reborn after ours destroys itself and that this is a new earth. The new myths are beautifully detailed so that when someone starts talking about a dragon bowl and madness you are only confused until the titbit of information unfolds in the next few pages. Then the next time you hear or see one you understand the dangers and then a whole new set of fears for our heroine reaches you. You want her to win, you want her to succeed because as with any good fairy tale heroine she deserves it. She is well on her way in this first book. read Lord Tophet to see her ending.
I asked Mr. Frost once if the object she finds is a "-----" and was confirmed. read it its page a hundred and something. IF you can tell me what the object is I will confirm. Again I met him at a book signing at Between Books in Claymont Delaware.
Fitcher's Brides (Fairy Tales
This is a retelling of the Bluebeard "fairy tale" and I use the term loosely. Like Grimm's fairy tales this is not for children. Its not even for some adults I know.
Add some pieces of "the Fitcher bird" and you have one seriously creepy book.
Take a Utopian society, add some religious fanaticism, and a man that wants to prove his superiority, while killing his wives because he set them up for it, and well i couldn't stop reading. That's good because there was no way i was going to sleep after that anyway.
I met Gregory Frost at a book signing, in Claymont Delaware at Between Books to have this book autographed. What I told him was this "you really freaked me out, thank you." He said "your welcome" and that he was glad he could freak me out. I love this man lol
Add some pieces of "the Fitcher bird" and you have one seriously creepy book.
Take a Utopian society, add some religious fanaticism, and a man that wants to prove his superiority, while killing his wives because he set them up for it, and well i couldn't stop reading. That's good because there was no way i was going to sleep after that anyway.
I met Gregory Frost at a book signing, in Claymont Delaware at Between Books to have this book autographed. What I told him was this "you really freaked me out, thank you." He said "your welcome" and that he was glad he could freak me out. I love this man lol
Call of Cthulhu Novels: Baby's First Mythos
This is not your typical baby's first ABC book.
If you are a hardcore Lovecraft fan you will buy this book for yourself. If you happen to have a child (like me) you'll probably buy it for them to save for when they are older.
I purchased it and taped a photo of my son who at the time was almost 2 years old to the inside cover. I showed CJ when I had him autograph the book. He made a joke about raising him right that I'll never forget. thanks :)
He wrote this book with his daughter illustrating it and I think that says a lot. The illustrations are black and white like any good grimoire and they add to the creepy factor. This version has the letters a-z (now with x!) and the numbers 1-9 with 0.
This is definitely not for kids under the age of twelve. Unless they are already H.P. Lovecraft fans. Of course my son already is. I'a Cthulhu.
If you are a hardcore Lovecraft fan you will buy this book for yourself. If you happen to have a child (like me) you'll probably buy it for them to save for when they are older.
I purchased it and taped a photo of my son who at the time was almost 2 years old to the inside cover. I showed CJ when I had him autograph the book. He made a joke about raising him right that I'll never forget. thanks :)
He wrote this book with his daughter illustrating it and I think that says a lot. The illustrations are black and white like any good grimoire and they add to the creepy factor. This version has the letters a-z (now with x!) and the numbers 1-9 with 0.
This is definitely not for kids under the age of twelve. Unless they are already H.P. Lovecraft fans. Of course my son already is. I'a Cthulhu.
Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch (Paperback)
Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman
Friday, October 23, 2009
On wings of song by Thomas M. Disch
I have an eleventh printing of the 1985 version of a story copyright 1979.
The general plot is this: Our hero lives in Iowa, lots of things are illegal. Most music is illegal. Our hero cannot sing but wants to because it will let him fly, leaving the bounds of his earthly flesh and soar.
I've NEVER in my life thrown a book across the room after reading it but this one had a really nice flightpath, and a resounding thunk.
Maybe I am just too young for this book I was three when it was printed, but the political overtures that speak of the prohibition, racial slurs considered grammatically correct at the time insult me beyond the fact that the story might be halfway decent.
I've plodded along its 359 pages wondering when I am going to care really about anything other than our main character. His comatose wife (who left her body in song after their wedding before their honeymoon) I could care less about. Her character never really developed for me. It took over a hundred pages for Daniel to be told properly, but his wife is reduced to an aside that compliments the angst against politics and the League of Women voters, the ACLU and Politicians in general. The Farm Belt is described as a close parallel to the bible belt and what happens when we let religion and fear of the upper white class get a hold of our amendments.
It won the John W. Campbell Memorial Award for Best Novel. No I don't know what year it was.
I can't stand corruption, political and religious zealots and the fact that people have held the arts and artists in their grip for lifetimes. I do not appreciate the devaluing of art as a commentary of the state of the US, even if it is true. It bothers me on a personal level as an artist and in the end what do authors want? They want their stories to be read and they want you to feel something from having read it. I did.
The general plot is this: Our hero lives in Iowa, lots of things are illegal. Most music is illegal. Our hero cannot sing but wants to because it will let him fly, leaving the bounds of his earthly flesh and soar.
I've NEVER in my life thrown a book across the room after reading it but this one had a really nice flightpath, and a resounding thunk.
Maybe I am just too young for this book I was three when it was printed, but the political overtures that speak of the prohibition, racial slurs considered grammatically correct at the time insult me beyond the fact that the story might be halfway decent.
I've plodded along its 359 pages wondering when I am going to care really about anything other than our main character. His comatose wife (who left her body in song after their wedding before their honeymoon) I could care less about. Her character never really developed for me. It took over a hundred pages for Daniel to be told properly, but his wife is reduced to an aside that compliments the angst against politics and the League of Women voters, the ACLU and Politicians in general. The Farm Belt is described as a close parallel to the bible belt and what happens when we let religion and fear of the upper white class get a hold of our amendments.
It won the John W. Campbell Memorial Award for Best Novel. No I don't know what year it was.
I can't stand corruption, political and religious zealots and the fact that people have held the arts and artists in their grip for lifetimes. I do not appreciate the devaluing of art as a commentary of the state of the US, even if it is true. It bothers me on a personal level as an artist and in the end what do authors want? They want their stories to be read and they want you to feel something from having read it. I did.
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Duma Key Stephen King
I am Stephen King fan. I think I've read about everything he has published. I have a Stephen King shelf right next to David Eddings.
Edgar Freemantle is a construction worker who loses his arm in an accident. It ruins his marriage, and sends him on a journey to find himself. He ends up in Duma Key in a pink house that should be listed in the realty section of the twilight zone. Edgar decides to take up drawing and painting again because its good therapy. That is when the twilight zone comes and gets him.
King describes the feeling obsessive artists get when the need to paint strikes them hard. It describes my own feelings exactly in a way that I couldn't before. I read it and thoght "Yes that's it, where were the words before?"
While reading I worked on a few paintings one of which is a beach, but the others were twisted and haunted.
The dark journey of the soul is shown with interactions with his few and eccentric neighbors, a living forest that smells sickly sweet, paintings that haunt and or kill the owner, the rattling of shells, gruesome deaths and that rag doll. The doll haunts my nightmares today.
Must READ!
Edgar Freemantle is a construction worker who loses his arm in an accident. It ruins his marriage, and sends him on a journey to find himself. He ends up in Duma Key in a pink house that should be listed in the realty section of the twilight zone. Edgar decides to take up drawing and painting again because its good therapy. That is when the twilight zone comes and gets him.
King describes the feeling obsessive artists get when the need to paint strikes them hard. It describes my own feelings exactly in a way that I couldn't before. I read it and thoght "Yes that's it, where were the words before?"
While reading I worked on a few paintings one of which is a beach, but the others were twisted and haunted.
The dark journey of the soul is shown with interactions with his few and eccentric neighbors, a living forest that smells sickly sweet, paintings that haunt and or kill the owner, the rattling of shells, gruesome deaths and that rag doll. The doll haunts my nightmares today.
Must READ!
Shimmer
Shimmer by John Passarella
It is paranormal thriller based around the protection of humanity. There are always heroes but these are different. When spots between realities thin things come through and the Walkers stop them. Some of the things that come through are reminiscent of Lovecraft and add to the bloodshed factor. The monsters here rock.
This story is based around the youngest Walker and his high school drama, love life. It wasn't what I expected from the previews.
I am a fan of John Passarella and was one of the winners of his fan email contest to have your name used as a character in the book. I was very pleased to see my three pages of existence and my good death.
This is a young adult book, so for those of us who have read some of his other books will find it an easy read.
I think I am just jaded. His other books seem to be much more substantial to me. Don't get me wrong, I love the story but I felt as if I was missing more back history on the characters.
But it was good enough to make me want to get a tattoo of their motto: “Anima spes est, life is hope."
Is it conjugated correctly?
It is paranormal thriller based around the protection of humanity. There are always heroes but these are different. When spots between realities thin things come through and the Walkers stop them. Some of the things that come through are reminiscent of Lovecraft and add to the bloodshed factor. The monsters here rock.
This story is based around the youngest Walker and his high school drama, love life. It wasn't what I expected from the previews.
I am a fan of John Passarella and was one of the winners of his fan email contest to have your name used as a character in the book. I was very pleased to see my three pages of existence and my good death.
This is a young adult book, so for those of us who have read some of his other books will find it an easy read.
I think I am just jaded. His other books seem to be much more substantial to me. Don't get me wrong, I love the story but I felt as if I was missing more back history on the characters.
But it was good enough to make me want to get a tattoo of their motto: “Anima spes est, life is hope."
Is it conjugated correctly?
The Gryphon King
The Gryphon King, Tom Deitz, isbn:0-380-75506-8
The ren faire college crowd meets Tir na nog. Its written well, before mass market paperbacks were only made on an eighth grade reading level.
A man donates his personal library to the University of Georgia. He dies before he can have a chance to save a book and a sword from being excluded from the collection. They are donated. A student drops the book and a manuscript not seen for over five hundred years is found. It is a play about St. George and the devil. Nice huh? Its well worth it for the retelling of that fable alone. The book blends the pressures of dissertations with the King of the faeries (and a war between the true king and the thief) and the local renn faire. Add gryphons, weird fog and some truly dramatic characters and this book is definitely a fun read. Mr. Deitz has a wry sense of humor and an appreciation for the dramatic effect.
I read it in nine hours, mostly because I went back and reread the parts that made me laugh out loud.
The ren faire college crowd meets Tir na nog. Its written well, before mass market paperbacks were only made on an eighth grade reading level.
A man donates his personal library to the University of Georgia. He dies before he can have a chance to save a book and a sword from being excluded from the collection. They are donated. A student drops the book and a manuscript not seen for over five hundred years is found. It is a play about St. George and the devil. Nice huh? Its well worth it for the retelling of that fable alone. The book blends the pressures of dissertations with the King of the faeries (and a war between the true king and the thief) and the local renn faire. Add gryphons, weird fog and some truly dramatic characters and this book is definitely a fun read. Mr. Deitz has a wry sense of humor and an appreciation for the dramatic effect.
I read it in nine hours, mostly because I went back and reread the parts that made me laugh out loud.
Storm of Shadows
Storm of Shadows, Christina Dodd (The Chosen ones Book 2)
ok here goes. This is a paranormal romance. That usually means a normal woman finds lonely werewolf in need of love and a good brushing. Not this time, yay! The intimate scenes are few and actually continue the plot. There is some foreshadowing in the first hundred pages that set up the ending nicely. There are many different folklore references that make the book less predictable. Its a fast read and honestly its brain candy. I read this book in less than five hours (374 pages) If you like this genre, go for it. you can do alot worse.
Plot Spoiler:
This book concerns the finding of a prophecy that will determine the outcome of the world and the balance of god and evil. Abandoned ones are born and abandoned by their mothers. (make sense.) They can become good (chosen) or evil (the others). They all have paranormal abilities that have manifested. They are also marked in some way with a sigil or tattoo on their bodies that have something to do with their power. There are seven active chosen ones working for the good and numerous Others. That is why evil always has a leg up on humanity. If they do not have seven Chosen to protect humanity evil wins period.
After the first book in this series, they are down one Chosen One. The war continues, but the Chosen Ones support group enlarges.
ok here goes. This is a paranormal romance. That usually means a normal woman finds lonely werewolf in need of love and a good brushing. Not this time, yay! The intimate scenes are few and actually continue the plot. There is some foreshadowing in the first hundred pages that set up the ending nicely. There are many different folklore references that make the book less predictable. Its a fast read and honestly its brain candy. I read this book in less than five hours (374 pages) If you like this genre, go for it. you can do alot worse.
Plot Spoiler:
This book concerns the finding of a prophecy that will determine the outcome of the world and the balance of god and evil. Abandoned ones are born and abandoned by their mothers. (make sense.) They can become good (chosen) or evil (the others). They all have paranormal abilities that have manifested. They are also marked in some way with a sigil or tattoo on their bodies that have something to do with their power. There are seven active chosen ones working for the good and numerous Others. That is why evil always has a leg up on humanity. If they do not have seven Chosen to protect humanity evil wins period.
After the first book in this series, they are down one Chosen One. The war continues, but the Chosen Ones support group enlarges.
Comets, Stars, the moon and mars
Comets, stars, the moon, and mars is a children's book written and illustrated by Douglas Florian.
This is a nice way to start young children learning about astronomy and the universe around them. It starts with stars and goes through, constellations, our solar system (updated with Pluto as a dwarf planet) and continues out to the great beyond.
The poems are catchy and fun to say, some can become great tongue twisters.
The illustrations are not just pictures they are labeled. The parts of a comet, the craters and moons of planets, and on earth there are representations of wildlife on their appropriate continents.
If you have a young child who is interested in stars, or that you want to get interested in stars this is a good book to start with.
There is also a selected bibliography in the back of the book that lists top of the field references for all ages. I do suggest that adults try Stephen Hawking's A Brief History of Time before trying to explain it to their five year olds.
This is a nice way to start young children learning about astronomy and the universe around them. It starts with stars and goes through, constellations, our solar system (updated with Pluto as a dwarf planet) and continues out to the great beyond.
The poems are catchy and fun to say, some can become great tongue twisters.
The illustrations are not just pictures they are labeled. The parts of a comet, the craters and moons of planets, and on earth there are representations of wildlife on their appropriate continents.
If you have a young child who is interested in stars, or that you want to get interested in stars this is a good book to start with.
There is also a selected bibliography in the back of the book that lists top of the field references for all ages. I do suggest that adults try Stephen Hawking's A Brief History of Time before trying to explain it to their five year olds.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)